To truly be able to live around her — to trust her presence fully — that didn’t come so easily.
It had only been, what? Around three weeks since they first met.
And then, another thought struck him.
With that in mind, he looked at her and asked, "Well, before I give you my answer... can you tell me more about yourself?"
Then, seeing the peculiar look she gave him, he coughed lightly and added,
"I mean — despite all the time we’ve spent together, I still don’t know many things about you, after all."
Anastasia narrowed her eyes slightly, before letting out a small sigh.
"Well... I don’t mind talking about myself, if it’s just a little."
But then, she paused.
Her gaze sharpened, and she asked flatly, "But, don’t you feel like something’s wrong?"
Christian blinked, a little caught off guard.
"What do you mean?" he asked back.
Anastasia’s tone turned cold.
"It feels like you’re interviewing me."
"Like you’re the superior in some company — and I’m a poor commoner trying to impress you... hoping you’ll pass me in some test and give me a job."
She raised her voice then, finishing with visible irritation, "when it should be the opposite!"
’You even know about all of that now?’
Christian kept his mouth shut, simply staring at her with a quiet kind of admiration.
The first time he saw Anastasia, she didn’t even know the language here.
She barely understood Earth — its people, its culture, anything.
Now she could throw around examples rooted in modern society, in fluent English no less, just to prove her point.
And all that... in just three weeks.
What’s more — she had never once been seen studying.
Aside from the few days she’d spent with Iris learning how to build an Android, she was always by his side.
She never did anything unusual — she just sat there, quietly watching him.
Christian’s thoughts were many, but Anastasia didn’t give him time to linger in them.
She huffed, visibly still annoyed.
"Like really, why does it feel like I’m the one begging you to become my disciple?"
’Well, it feels that way to me too,’ Christian thought — but he wisely didn’t say it aloud.
Instead, he replied with a smile, "if it bothers you that much, you can always change your mind. Just don’t make me your disciple."
Anastasia’s answer came sharp and quick — firmer than he expected.
She looked at him seriously, her expression earnest as she said, "You don’t know this, but some of my friends always brag about their disciples. So how could I not have one too?"
’This kind of childish reason... is the reason she wants me as her disciple?’
Christian couldn’t help thinking it, even though he himself could be more childish than her sometimes.
"And besides," Anastasia added, a beaming smile spreading across her face,
"it sounds fun! Solving problems after my disciple causes trouble — doesn’t that sound exciting?"
Christian shook his head, amused by how childlike she could be. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novelꞁire.net
"Anyway, going back to your question," she continued, her tone finally calming down.
"I’m half dwarf. I don’t usually like telling people that... but with my golden eye already revealed, there’s no point in hiding it anymore."
"Dwarf? Is that why you’re so short?" Christian asked, raising an eyebrow — the words slipping out before he could stop them.
His gaze shifted down her figure again — not out of rudeness, but curiosity. He scanned her features, the silver hair, the unnatural beauty, the elegant face, and finally... her ears.
Everything looked human. Aside from her height and otherworldly beauty, there was nothing that gave her away.
Maybe he was being too disrespectful with that look...
Anastasia’s voice suddenly turned cold — stripped of its usual playfulness.
"Maybe you don’t know," she said flatly, "but I’d be considered a giant compared to a pure-blooded dwarf."
Hearing that, Christian straightened, immediately trying to correct himself.
"Well, now that I think about it... you actually couldn’t be considered short."
Her golden eye stayed on him, and Christian — against his own conscience — added, "No. You’re actually... quite tall!"
Trying to salvage his blunder, he kept the compliments going.
And even while speaking, his thoughts wandered.
’Dwarves are always blacksmiths in the stories,’ he mused. And Anastasia... she’s leagues beyond him when it comes to forging.
So, was that why she wanted to take him as her disciple?
He decided to shelve that question for now.
If she didn’t mention it, he could always ask later.
So, Christian fell silent again, listening.
"My age — you already know that."
"As for my strength... it’s immense, of course. But if you want specifics — I’m at the Transformation rank. The top of it, actually, nearing the next."
Just hearing the name of the stage above Mortal made Christian pause.
Just how long is the road ahead? When will he become invincible...?
But the smug tone in Anastasia’s voice quickly scattered those thoughts.
"And like I told you before — I’m a genius!" she declared, her chin tilting upward with pride.
"Most people who reach my stage are already millions of years old. And those who are nearing the next rank?"
She gave a short, snorting laugh. "You can add a few more zeros, easily."
"Well, that’s amazing," Christian said, offering a timely compliment.
He was already used to handling her mood — and nothing made her happier than being praised when she was clearly fishing for it. The way her chin practically pointed at the sky said it all.
"Anyway," she went on, "because of how much of a genius I am, I’ve delved into many kind of profession. From blacksmithing, enchanting, alchemy — to all kinds of side jobs."
"So if there’s anything you want to learn, anything at all — you can learn it from me."
Alchemy and enchantment...
Two fields Christian had already planned to explore — once he had the time.
Enchantment would let him upgrade weapons, androids, and all kinds of systems.
That field was more important.